THE SO-CALLED " CURLEW BUG.' 



63 



It burrows its way downward through the center of the lower stem 

 into the main root or taproot and, unless this is entirely eaten away, 

 probably finishes its "development there. Although we have not 

 observed it, it seems quite likely that under certain conditions it may 

 transform to the pupa in the earth outside of the plant. 



Studies carried out by Mr. Kelly at Wellington, Kans., have shown 

 that the larval stage may occupy from 37 to 41 days — the latter 

 period in most of his experiences. 



THE PUPA. 



(Fig. 20.) 



Pupation in the crowns of chufa takes place normally in cocoons 

 formed of dried castings, but in cases where the crowns have been 

 much eaten away, the larva before transforming evidently falls out 

 and pupates in the earth nearby, generally within an inch or less of 

 the crown. In the earth a cell is made by the 

 larva, which turns round and round, thus forming 

 quite a distinct earthen cocoon. In one instance 

 noted by Mr. Caudell, a pupal case or cocoon was 

 found on chufa about 2 inches above the ground, 

 indicating that the larva had floated to the surface 

 of the water, the plants being submerged at the 

 time. 



In corn plants pupation takes place in the larval 

 chambers as shown in figure 21, c. 



A larva noted by Chittenden transformed to pupa 

 August 22, and the beetles issued September 1, the 

 period of the pupal stage having been about 9J 

 days. As the weather during this time was con- 

 siderably over 80° F., and quite humid, 9 days is 

 probably the minimum pupal period for this species. 



Of a number reared by Mr. Kelly at Wellington, Kans., during 

 August, 1910, one pupated in 9 days, while three others pupated in 

 13 da\s. 



THE ADULT. 



(Fig. 16.) 



This species was first described by Olivier in 1807. 1 In his paper 

 entitled "New species of Sphenophorus with notes on described 

 forms," 2 Dr. Chittenden has fully discussed this species as follows: 



This species was united by LeConte 3 and Horn with cariosus 01., but wrongly so, as 

 I shall attempt to prove. Olivier's description reads in substance as follows: 



Body black with dark cinereous coating. Antennae brownish black, shining, 

 cinereous at apex. Rostrum black, dark cinereous at base. Thorax uneven, "and 



i Calandra callosa Olivier, Hist. Nat. des Ins., vol. 5, p. 92, pi. 28, fig. 416, 1807. 



2 Proc. Ent. Soc. Wash., vol. 7, No. 4, pp. 176-177, Mar. 9, 1906. 



3 Rhyncb. N. A., p. 425. 



Fig. 20.— The "curlew 

 bug:" Pupa. Greatly 

 enlarged. (Original.) 



